1. Neurodiversity and Workplace Technology
PEAT Talk
Shea Tanis Ph.D.
Associate Director
Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities
July 20, 2017

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3. The mission of the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities is to catalyze and integrate advances in technology to promote a meaningful quality of life for people with cognitive disabilities and their families.
The Institute is actively engaged in supporting research, development, dissemination, and education in cognitive disabilities. The Institute is also committed to providing scientific, technological, and public policy leadership to strengthen the voice of persons with cognitive disabilities and their families in our society.
Source: Ablelink Technologies, Colorado Springs (Terry & Jonathan).

4. Applied Cognitive Technology
Building cognitive supports
into technology used by all.
“As a field, Applied Cognitive Technology constitutes research and development to provide technology supports that enable people with cognitive disabilities to successfully function in inclusive environments, to increase participation in tasks and activities in inclusive environments, and to promote social inclusion, self-determination, and quality of life.
- Wehmeyer & Shogren, 2013
Not building specialized technologies but building cognitive supports into technology available and used by all.

5. Cognitive Disability

6. Developmental and
Cognitive refers to the act of processing information such as thinking, remembering or reasoning. Cognitive disabilities affect those functions making it more difficult to process information in a recognized meaningful way.
Learning disabilities are cognitive disabilities to the extent that they impact on major life areas including educational performance, capacity for employment, receptive and expressive language, capacity for independent living and economic self-sufficiency
2015 Census data Cognitive disability comprised of more individuals than the communities of sensory disabilities such as hearing and vision
5.1% cognitive; 3.6% hearing; 2.3% vision
Mobility is 7.1%

7. Neurodiversity Defined
Coined by Judy Singer in 1999
Facets of neurodiversity
Neurodiversity as a biological factor
Neurodiversity movement
Neurodiversity paradigm
The definition is fluid
Most commonly associated with people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)/autistic
Just as we use the terms cultural diversity and biodiversity to refer to the rich variety of social heritage or biological life we need a term that conveys the richness of different kinds of brains.
- Judy Singer “Why Can’t You Be Normal for Once in Your Life?” “for me, the key significance of the ‘autistic spectrum’ lies in its call for and anticipation of a politics of neurological diversity, or what I want to call ‘neurodiversity,’ The Neurologically different represent a new addition to the familiar political categories of class/gender/race and will augment the insights of the social model of disability”
Developmental Adult Neuro-diversity Association (DANDA) = dyspraxia, ADHD and Asperger's
Others = autism, dyslexia, Down Syndrome, Tourette’s and nonverbal learning disability

8. Neurodiversity in the Media
Harvard Business Review (2017) – “Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage”
Forbes (2017 & 2014) – “Organizations Reaping the Benefits of Neurodiverse Employees” & “Neurodiversity: A New Talent Opportunity”
Venturebeat (2017) – “Software Firms are Actively Seeking ‘Neurodiverse Employees”
Bloomberg (2016) – “Neurodiversity: The Benefits of Recruiting Employees with Cognitive Disabilities”
Fortune ( 2014) – “The Next Frontier in Workplace Diversity: Brain Differences”
In Praise of the Misfits = – 2012 Economist

9. Who Is Missing From The Talent Pool?

10. Disability Advantage Reframed
Actively seek out people who are uniquely positioned to bring their natural strengths and talents to benefit the company or business
Use the functional conceptual model of disability to assure the most productive outcomes throughout the employment life cycle

11. Functional Conceptual Model
Disability is “conceptualized as a function of the fit between the person’s capacities and the activity and participation expectations of the context”
DISABILITY
Disability is not a trait but a state of where functioning is impaired – Thompson, Wehmeyer, Hughes
Personal Competence
Environment

12. Role of Technology Technology Tools Personal Competence
Environmental Fit
Environment

13. Changing the Context for Success
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

14. Functional Areas of Misfit
Memory & Learning
Reasoning & Idea Production
Language Ability & Auditory Reception
Visual Comprehension
Processing Speed
Reading & Writing
Acquired Knowledge & Achievement
In addition to sensory and physical challenges, many people with cognitive disabilities also have difficulty with memory and learning; reasoning and idea production; language ability and auditory reception; visual comprehension; processing speed; reading and writing; and acquired knowledge and achievement.
Memory – Ability to recall what we have learned over time
Problem-Solving –
Attention – Focusing attention and processing information
Reading…- symbolic representation and text disabilities
Math – conceptual explanations
Visual - representations

15. Technology Supports for Employment
Video Resumes
Social Media
Remote Working

16. Technology Supports for Employment
Sound Virtualiser
Virtual Training/Coaching
Telepresence
Tactile Reminders
Virtual Reminders
Text Simplification
Content Clarifier
Machine Learning
Social Media

17. Apps for Employment Task Prompts Skitch Voice Dream Reader Android/iOS
First/Then Visual Scheduler Android/iOS
Seeing AI
VeryPDF
Video Scheduler Android/iOS
Task Prompts Skitch
Picture Routines
If This Then That

18. Inclusion Paradox
With all of these technologies readily available, and industry and federal initiatives focused in accessible technologies why do we continue to struggle to provide people with disabilities, particularly those with cognitive disabilities, access to information and technology?

19. Barriers Remain Lack of Universal Design Digital Literacy Skills
Equal Opportunity
Knowledge Translation
Transmission Pathways
Social Context
Economic Barriers

20. 455 Disability Organizations
2 State Legislative Resolutions
declaration-endorse

24. Thank You.
Contact Information Shea Tanis, Ph.D. Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities 3825 Iris Avenue, Suite 200 Boulder, CO